Crushed ore was also introduced to the mill and the CIL plant. “The introduction of crushed ore to the mill at Sissingué was an important milestone in the journey towards bringing our second operating gold mine into production,” comments Jeff Quartermaine, Perseus Mining managing director and CEO.

First gold is expected to be produced at Sissingué ahead of schedule, prior to the end of January 2018, and the ramp up to full scale commercial production is expected to be achieved by 31 March 2018.

The estimated capital cost of the full development of the Sissingué mine and infrastructure, excluding early works but including operational readiness initiatives, was USD107-million and on current estimates this budget will not be exceeded.

Based on the updated life of mine plan for Sissingué published in March 2017, estimated gold production totals 358 000oz over the life of mine including about 80 000oz per annum for the first 3.25 years and about 70 000oz per annum over the full five-year life of mine.

Forecast average weighted all-in site costs, including all direct production costs, royalties, waste stripping costs and sustaining capital expenditure, are estimated at about USD625 an ounce in the first 3.25 years of production and about USD630 an ounce over the full mine life.

Significant potential exists to increase Sissingué’s currently delineated Mineral Resources, Ore Reserves and mine life. Exploration programmes targeting mineralisation located within trucking distance of the mine have been developed and are scheduled to be implemented once the mine is generating positive cash flows.

“We are looking forward very much to starting gold production later in January 2018 and to seeing Sissingué ramp up to full scale production and positive cash flow by the end of the March quarter,” Quartermaine concludes.